No one expected that at this time, it would be Song Chaoyu, the庶女 (concubine-born daughter) regarded as a "wild girl," who stepped forward to apologize to all the guests.
What even the usually praised elegant and sensible Song Yanjiao could not accomplish, Song Chaoyu did!
The guests exchanged glances, naturally not intending to hold the Song family accountable for this matter: "The Song family's daughters are all admirable! When one drinks too much, there are bound to be moments of losing composure. Hurry and have your third sister sent back, and send the maid by your side back as well."
After all, Song Yuan held the position of Minister, and others had to give him some face.
As the guests departed one by one, Song Yanjiao, who was standing nearby, looked at Song Chaoyu with a darkening gaze.
Song Chaoyu paid them no mind, simply helping Tiaohong back to the rear courtyard.
Tiaohong glanced back with some worry: "Miss, this matter will likely alarm the Master, Madam, and the Old Madam immediately. Please don't worry about me. Don't let the second and third young ladies go to complain first, or it will be disadvantageous for you, Miss!"
Song Chaoyu was unconcerned: "You were injured because of me. Say no more. I will personally see you back to the Huashu Courtyard before I can rest easy."
Tiaohong smiled, her heart filled with an indescribable warmth.
—
As expected, as soon as Song Chaoyu sent Tiaohong back to the Huashu Courtyard, someone from the First Madam's side arrived, requesting Song Chaoyu to visit the Old Madam's courtyard.
Tiaohong looked at Song Chaoyu with concern, but Song Chaoyu smiled slightly: "Don't worry, with Grandmother presiding, I won't suffer. Take good care of yourself, and don't tell my姨娘 (concubine mother) yet, lest she worry."
Seeing Tiaohong left behind at the Huashu Courtyard, Xunlü stepped forward and volunteered: "Miss, I'll go with you!"
Song Chaoyu nodded, but as she stepped out of the Huashu Courtyard, she heard Tiaohong say: "Miss, Zhuzi was asking about you yesterday! He said he received the handkerchiefs and embroidered items you made for him recently. But why doesn't Miss want to see him?"
Song Chaoyu lowered her gaze, her heart growing cold: "With you as the messenger, why should I see him? I am a lady of the inner chambers, how can I casually meet with a mere servant?"
Xunlü did not realize the coldness in Song Chaoyu's tone. She merely smiled: "What does it matter? Are not storybooks often filled with tales of ladies of the inner chambers giving everything for love? Perhaps Miss and Zhuzi could be like that too!"
"Heh—"
Song Chaoyu let out a cold laugh: "Are you truly ignorant, or are you pretending to be?"
Only then did Xunlü sense something was amiss, and she became nervous: "Know... what? What does Miss mean?"
Song Chaoyu glanced at Xunlü: "Do you truly believe that Zhuzi is sincere towards me? Do you not know what kind of person he is?"
"Miss..."
Xunlü frowned slightly: "Where does this come from? From what I see, he is devoted to Miss. Is there some misunderstanding?"
Song Chaoyu put on an appearance of jealousy: "You really don't know? He hasn't just said those sweet words and sent those love poems to me alone! I think he's much more attentive to Third Sister than he is to me. Do you think that's why Third Sister insisted on treating me this way today? It's likely because she discovered Zhuzi's unusual attention towards me, and she's unhappy about it, which is why she's causing such trouble!"
Saying this, Song Chaoyu felt a sense of annoyance within. If this were to get out, and people knew that a daughter of an official family would fight over a mere servant, wouldn't they laugh their heads off?
She continued: "Tell him, if he truly has feelings for me, to bring over all the things Third Sister gave him on a specific day. I won't be at peace until I see those things burned!"
Upon hearing this, Xunlü believed Song Chaoyu was merely jealous: "That's easy! If he truly wants to have both, I'll be the first to beat him for his duplicity! Miss, please rest assured, I will convey Miss's wishes to him!"
As they spoke, they had already reached the entrance of the Old Madam's courtyard.
"Wuwuwu!"
Before even entering, Song Chaoyu heard Song Yanrou, who was kneeling inside, weeping incessantly: "Your granddaughter has no grievances with her, why would she harm her? Isn't it because she heard those vulgar words from her? It's one thing for her to speak ill of me, but she even looks down on Second Sister! She said Second Sister only pretends to be pure all day, and that Second Sister merely occupies the position of being born of the principal wife. She said many unpleasant things, and I simply couldn't bear it, so I wanted to teach her a lesson!"
Ice gleamed in Song Chaoyu's eyes, and she sneered inwardly: These words are likely the true thoughts in Song Yanrou's heart.
Song Yanrou's crying grew even louder: "It's all my fault for drinking too much wine today, which caused my anger to overwhelm me and led me to say these words. Your granddaughter knows her mistake, but Fourth Sister was also at fault first!"
"Bang!"
Upon hearing this, the Old Madam directly smashed the cup in her hand onto the ground: "Nonsense! Since Fourth Girl entered the manor, she has been cautious in her words and actions, trying her best to please everyone in the household. You dare say she said such things? I, the Old Madam, do not believe it. Ask everyone present, who else believes it?!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Madam Nie, who had been sitting quietly beside her, stood up: "I don't believe it either. Not to mention that Fourth Sister would never say such things normally, even on the day of her second brother's celebration, she would never want to ruin such a day."
"Alas—"
As soon as her voice fell, Song Yanjiao, standing beside her, also stood up, feigning distress.
Her eyes were filled with grievance: "Grandmother, I also believe Fourth Sister would not say that about me. I am her elder sister. How could she speak so outrageously to me when she is usually so gentle and humble? Even if she did say it, I wouldn't take it to heart."
This was a tactic of advancing by retreating, and she reprimanded Song Yanrou: "Third Sister, even if you heard some gossip, I know you want to stand up for me. I am grateful for your intentions, but you cannot disrupt Second Brother's situation on such a day, can you? Now, what will others think of our Song Manor? You and Fourth Sister, you are truly too reckless!"
As expected, anything said by Song Yanjiao inevitably involved Song Chaoyu.
After listening for a moment, Song Chaoyu stepped forward.
She lowered her gaze, concealing the helplessness and coldness in her eyes, and knelt beside Song Yanrou.
This time, she would not back down.
She bowed deeply three times to Song Yuan and the Old Madam above: "Grandmother above, Father above. Chaoyu knows that today's events have shamed the Song family. I implore Father and Grandmother to make a judgment and send Chaoyu back to the estate!"
Advancing by retreating, who couldn't do that?